problem solution essay rubric

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Problem-solution essays Situation-problem-solution-evaluation

Problem-solution essays are a common essay type, especially for short essays such as subject exams or IELTS . The page gives information on what they are , how to structure this type of essay, and gives an example problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and fitness levels.

What are problem-solution essays?

Problem-solution essays consider the problems of a particular situation, and give solutions to those problems. They are in some ways similar to cause and effect essays , especially in terms of structure (see below). Problem-solution essays are actually a sub-type of another type of essay, which has the following four components:

The 'situation' may be included in the essay prompt, in which case it will not be needed in the main body. If it is needed, it can often be included in the introduction, especially for short essays, as with the example essay below . The 'evaluation' may be included as part of the conclusion (also as in the example below), or omitted altogether, especially for short essays. For these reasons, problem-solution essays are more common than situation-problem-solution-evaluation essays (or SPSE essays).

There are two main ways to structure a problem-solution essay. These are similar to the ways to structure cause and effect essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the problems are listed first, and all of the solutions are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each problem is followed immediately by the solution to that problem. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any solutions you present relate directly to the problems you have given.

The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below. This is for a short essay, which includes the 'situation' in the introduction and 'evaluation' in the conclusion. A longer essay, for example one of around 1,000 words, with citations , would probably have these two sections as separate paragraphs in the main body.

Example essay

Below is a problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and poor fitness . It uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also (for problems and solutions) the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the problems and solutions contained in the main body.

Consumption of processed and convenience foods and our dependence on the car have led to an increase in obesity and reduction in the fitness level of the adult population. In some countries, especially industrialized ones, the number of obese people can amount to one third of the population. This is significant as obesity and poor fitness lead to a decrease in life expectancy , and it is therefore important for individuals and governments to work together to tackle this issue and improve their citizens' diet and fitness. Obesity and poor fitness decrease life expectancy. Overweight people are more likely to have serious illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, which can result in premature death. It is well known that regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, which means that those with poor fitness levels are at an increased risk of suffering from those problems. Changes by individuals to their diet and their physical activity can increase life expectancy. There is a reliance today on the consumption of processed foods, which have a high fat and sugar content. By preparing their own foods, and consuming more fruit and vegetables, people could ensure that their diets are healthier and more balanced, which could lead to a reduction in obesity levels. In order to improve fitness levels, people could choose to walk or cycle to work or to the shops rather than taking the car. They could also choose to walk up stairs instead of taking the lift. These simple changes could lead to a significant improvement in fitness levels. Governments could also implement initiatives to improve their citizens' eating and exercise habits. This could be done through education, for example by adding classes to the curriculum about healthy diet and lifestyles. Governments could also do more to encourage their citizens to walk or cycle instead of taking the car, for instance by building more cycle lanes or increasing vehicle taxes. While some might argue that increased taxes are a negative way to solve the problem, it is no different from the high taxes imposed on cigarettes to reduce cigarette consumption. In short, obesity and poor fitness are a significant problem in modern life, leading to lower life expectancy . Individuals and governments can work together to tackle this problem and so improve diet and fitness . Of the solutions suggested, those made by individuals themselves are likely to have more impact, though it is clear that a concerted effort with the government is essential for success. With obesity levels in industrialized and industrializing countries continuing to rise, it is essential that we take action now to deal with this problem.

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Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 22 January 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

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Problem/Solution Essay Rubric

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Problem-Solution Essay Rubric

Subject: English

Age range: 13 - 18

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

27 February 2016

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Problem Solution Essay Rubric Guide

Have no idea how to create a high-quality essay which will earn you the best grade? The primary goal of this article is to provide students with information on the problem solution essay rubric, so they could have a pretty good idea what an A-level essay should look like. After reading it, you’ll be able to see what criteria professors use to assess students’ essay writing skills, as well as understand what compulsory elements your essay should have.

Essay Rubric for Problem-Solution Essays

Before analyzing the criteria in detail, let’s just cover the basics. So, what is the problem and solution paragraph rubric? That is a way for tutors to assess students’ writing skills by using certain criteria. The main goal of the essay rubrics is to save teachers’ time because all the criteria they need to consider are gathered in one paper. The essay rubric can also help students hone their writing skills.

When professors ask students to write an essay, in all likelihood, they will also provide them with the rubric. They will review each criterion together, and as a result, students won’t face any difficulties with this task. They will also be notified of their professors’ expectations concerning this assignment.

Once an essay is ready, students will be able to score themselves using this rubric. They will see how well they did in this task and whether this essay meets the criteria listed in the rubric.

Problem/Solution Essay Rubric — Main Points

If your primary goal is to come up with the problem and solution essay, you need to know in advance what criteria it should meet. Keep in mind that your score will be lower if your essay doesn’t correspond to the requirements of the rubric.

Following the problem/solution essay rubric, the following criteria will be considered for assessing an essay:

• Ideas and Content;
• Organization;
• Sources and Thesis;
• Conventions.

If you want to get an excellent grade for your essay, you should learn these criteria literally by heart. So, let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Ideas and Content

Keep in mind that a top-quality essay should provide sophisticated definitions and a detailed description of the problem. If you wish to get the best grade, your problem statement should be specific and original. In other words, you need to define the main problem and provide original solutions.

When it comes to this essay type, the main problem and possible solutions should be mentioned in the introductory section, whereas a detailed description of each solution should be provided in the body section. Make sure that each idea is stated clearly and that supporting details are provided.

Essay Organization

Keep in mind that an essay is not your diary in which you can express your thoughts and ideas whichever way you like. That is an academic paper which should have a particular structure, which is why it should be organized in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Your paragraphs should interconnect each other in a logical flow, so if you wish to complete one idea and start covering another, be sure to use transitional phrases between them. Your essay should also have a strong and catchy introduction, informative body sections and an adequate closing paragraph.

Sources and Thesis

Perhaps, you know that essays are thoroughly checked for plagiarism, and if there are any copied sentences or sections in them, you’ll be accused of theft of intellectual property. Therefore, you need to cite all sources you use properly, i.e., following a specific formatting style. Also be sure to provide the list of references at the end of your paper! Even if you use direct quotes, you should always indicate who these quotes belong to.

The thesis statement which is placed at the end of the introductory section, should be1 to 3 sentences long and contain the problem statement and main solutions which will be covered in the body paragraphs. A good statement demonstrates the problem clearly and doesn’t have any extra information.

Conventions

Your essay should be quite literally polished to perfection! Therefore, if you aim to get the highest grade, your essay shouldn’t have any spelling, grammar or punctuation mistakes. Before you submit your paper, you should proofread it several times by using online essay correctors or asking a professional editor for help. It’s only after you are sure that your essay is free from errors that you can submit it to your professor.

Before tutors give their students the task of writing an essay, they usually remind them of the rubric criteria. Once the task is completed, they can use the rubric and score their papers. That is very convenient because students have an opportunity to correct their errors and thus improve their grade before the essay gets to their professor!

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iRubric: Problem-Solution Essay writing Rubric

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Problem/Solution Essay Rubric English

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This is the Rubric ONLY for the Problem Solution Essay.

Includes detailed rubric, with sections involving self and peer editing as well.

Detailed instructions on "How to Write a Problem/Solution Essay", as well as the assignment/outline template can be purchased separately, or all together for a discount.

*See "Problem Solution Essay Bundle on the Plan Mr.B! Homepage.

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